CITY OF UNION, KENTUCKY

Regular Business Meeting

MINUTES

Monday, February 11, 2008

 

 

CALL TO ORDER: Regular Business Meeting:

Mayor Don Kirby called to order the Regular Business Meeting of the Union City Commission on Monday, February 11, at 7:30 p.m.

 

Present: Don Kirby (Mayor) and John Mefford, Todd Sayers, Bob Kelly and John Adams (City Commissioners). Also present were Barry J. Burke P.E. (Foppe Technical Group), Kathy Porter (City Clerk/Treasurer) and Greg D. Voss (City Attorney).  There were fourteen (14) in audience attendance.

 

MINUTES: (All Commissioners were provided copies prior to tonight’s meeting)

Mr. Adams moved to accept the minutes as written. Mr. Sayers seconded the motion. Motion carried.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT: Mr. Sayers moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report of January 31, 2008 as presented.  Mr. Mefford seconded the motion. Motion carried.

 

CORRESPONDENCE:

None presented.

 

CITIZENS/PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Commissioner Kelly discussed Mr. Eugene Becknell’s water issue on Sycamore Drive, which is causing erosion and flooding. Mayor Kirby suggested that a city official and engineer meet with a Drees official at Mr. Becknell’s property so that Drees can get a better understanding of Mr. Becknell’s situation.

 

Mr. Jim Bell, Whispering Trail, spoke concerning a sewer backup problem he has. He has had Rotor Rooter look at the problem. It was found that his sewer line coming from his home does not run directly into the main sewer at the street level. He stated that several houses have been tied together on a separate line and only made one tap into the main sewer, which causes a lot of problems. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell and the Lovett’s added their concerns regarding the capacity of the existing public main along Whispering Trail with the addition of the city’s project and another pump station along RJ Lane. 

 

In response to several questions and historical comments made regarding the pre-existing conditions and potential problems, Mr. Burke stated the following: a) When the original subdivision development occurred, Sanitation District No.1 was not the authority for reviewing plans for private sewer systems as they are now; b)  State plumbing inspectors were responsible for inspecting building sewer connections per the state plumbing code; c) There may or may not have be a limit to the number of connections made to a public system; d)  Possible solutions include upsizing the smaller common building sewer for more capacity; or, reconnecting one (1) or more individual building sewers to the public main; e) SD#1 by policy at present now assumes responsibility for certain sewers directly beneath street pavements; however, any sewer problems within the public right-of-way remains with the individual property owners; f) With the city’s sewer project pending, many contractors would be available to solve this problem; g) an alternative to a gravity system could be a pump station near the end of Russwill Drive; however, failure of such station could make matters worse where sewage overflows discharge into the creek downstream. Mr. Burke stated that he doesn’t think SD#1 will approve any more pump stations; in fact, the District has plans to abandon the existing station along RJ Lane for connection to the existing main along Whispering Trails. In general, an eight–inch system has the hydraulic capability of handling sewage capacities equivalent to over 500 homes. In response to questions regarding the liability of the inspectors of such plumbing systems, if in violation, Attorney Voss advised that such individuals may be protected by sovereign immunity.

 

Another drainage issue brought forward by the residents included the concerns regarding the octagonal drainage structure future downstream regarding safety and the overall watershed upstream from the city’s sewer project.

Regular Business Meeting of Union City Commission

MINUTES – February 11, 2008 – Page 2 of 4

 

 

Flooding has occurred along Whispering Trails for many years. Residents have provided photos to document these floodings. Mr. Burke restated that when the development occurred, no one was looking at the size of the culverts under driveways. The existing series of storm culverts (some with smaller sizes down stream) acts as individual detention basins. Enlarging some culverts will cause more problems downstream. The ideal solution will be a major and costly project. The District is currently studying plans for watersheds within their jurisdiction. Results of these studies could include recommendations and priorities for solving this problem.

 

Mayor Kirby suggested that the city’s engineer look into installing an enclosure grate on the drainage structure downstream for safety; and study the other matters in the most cost effective way and submit options and recommendations to the city commission for action.

 

Mayor Kirby stated that he would like to have Mr. Burke work with the Sanitation District to figure out where the lines are to the homes being affected and build these lines into the sewer plan. Mayor Kirby stated that the best solution may be to extend the private lines two feet, and by connecting them in, it may not be as expensive as replacing the entire line that runs parallel. Mr. Adams asked about the tap in fees; Mayor Kirby stated the Sanitation District would give an exemption on those.

 

Mr. Burke will do further research on the options. Mr. Moore will also work with Mr. Burke on a solution.

 

RECOGNITION/HONOR:

Mayor Kirby acknowledged a special recognition for Mindy Gardt, for her development of the Union Town Plan brochure. He stated that in 2000, the City of Union approved the Union Town Plan. The plan has received awards for being unlike anything else in the region. The brochure was developed as a way of visually explaining what the city wants to develop, what the city is to look like. Ms. Gardt, as a member of the Visioning Committee, put a lot of work and hours into developing the brochure. Mayor Kirby read the Proclamation to Ms. Gardt.

 

REPORTS OF CITY OPERATIONS:

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT: Warren S. Moore, CAO

Mr. Moore discussed the Carryovers. In reference to the Union Town Plan, we are still handing out the Union Town Plan brochures on a fairly regular basis. Midland Atlantic: there is no change but a presentation to the Planning Commission will take place soon.

 

Current Issues: The Boone County Sign Department will complete the change to our subdivision speed limits within the next two weeks.

 

There is nothing new to report on the transfer of Old Union Road to the city.

 

In reference to snow removal, our contractor has been most responsive. We are receiving no more complaints than when the county was providing the service; however, this contractor is costing the city a lot more money than the county, since the county was only billing us for the salt and sand. This will be kept in mind for budget time next year.

 

The comparison between the Census Bureau’s and the County’s address list for Union has been completed.

 

Mr. Moore has spoken with Urban Forest Commission, since the planting season is not that far off. He will meet with the commission to determine what trees will need to be replaced.

 

Mr. Moore stated that the Memorandum of Understanding for the sanitary sewers has been sent to Sanitation District No. 1 for signature.

 

 

Regular Business Meeting of Union City Commission

MINUTES – February 11, 2008 – Page 3 of 4

 

 

 

COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS/UNION VISIONING COMMITTEE: Bob Kelly

Mr. Kelly stated that we continue to discuss the need for a Public Works Department in the city.

 

Stop signs have been replaced in Hampshire due to new construction.

 

Mr. Kelly discussed meeting with representatives from Gahanna, Ohio next month.

 

CITY ENGINEER REPORT: Barry J. Burke, P.E., P.L.S.

Mr. Barry Burke with Foppe Technical Group presented the City Engineer’s Report. (All Commissioners were provided copies of the report dated February 6, 2008 for tonight’s meeting).

 

Items # 1 (b) – Mr. Burke stated that in reference to the Sanitary Sewer System, the first Phase being A and B, the other Phase C, both of these phases of the plans are finished. A Public Hearing was held at Ryle High School and there were a total of 36 responses from the Q & A Session. Each request was responded to including a detailed letter to Mr. Curtis Rath.  Any comments from SD#1 and the KYTC will be processed as part of the review, revision and permitting process. Any significant delay is a concern. A notarized Self-Insured Affidavit will be forwarded to the KYTC for processing in Frankfort. A request for letter to SD#1 for an extension of “reservation of sewage capacity” was made, since the original reservation of 24 months will expire on March 26th. There is a lot of interest regarding plans and bid documents from local and other contractors. Bid opening is scheduled for February 29th at 3PM here at the city building. Following discussions with Warren and Attorney Voss, easement plats and insert descriptions will be forwarded to the Attorney for final processing. Attorney Voss will coordinate the easements and letters to the benefited residents and those already with sewers along Whispering Trail.

 

Item # 10 (b) – Mr. Burke stated that because of the weather, not a lot of work has been done in the field, but we did receive the final invoice from Paul Michels and Sons, Inc. relative to completion of the bikeway system along Wetherington Boulevard. We are working with the City of Florence; they are satisfied; we are satisfied.

 

Item # 22 – Mr. Burke stated that he had spoken with Mr. Mefford on what the Planning Commission plans to do to include the estimated costs about a sidewalk grant application along both sides Old Union Road and one side of Mt. Zion Road.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

There was none presented.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

Mayor Kirby read RESOLUTION NO. 2008-002 – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF UNION, KENTUCKY RELATING TO A KENTUCKY INFRASTRUCTURE AUTHORITY (KIA) LOAN APPLICATION. Mr. Mefford moved to approve the Resolution. Mr. Kelly seconded the motion. Motion carried.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

At this point in the meeting the time being 8:50 p.m., Mayor Kirby stated that the commission would go into Executive Session to discuss property acquisition of the old firehouse property.

 

 

***Executive Session

 

 

At the conclusion of the Executive Session, Mayor Kirby reconvened the Regular Business Meeting at 9:12 p.m. Attorney Voss was given authorization to negotiate the old firehouse property.

 

Regular Business Meeting of Union City Commission

MINUTES – February 11, 2008 – Page 4 of 4

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The next regular monthly city business meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 10, 2008, at 7:30 p.m.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

No further business came before the commission. Mr. Sayers moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:13 p.m. Mr. Adams

seconded the motion. Motion carried.

 

Signed this 10th day of March, 2008.

 

 

APPROVED:                                                             ATTEST:

 

 

________________________                                                        _____________________________

Don Kirby, Mayor                                                               Kathy Porter, City Clerk/Treasurer